by Bob Jordan, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press

by Bob Jordan, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press

CHICAGO -- Despite his administration being hounded by investigations from state lawmakers and federal prosecutors, Republican Gov. Chris Christie is on the road again, opening the door for Democrats and liberal groups to make the claim Christie's regard for the people he governs has taken a backseat to his zeal for national politics.

Christie's latest attempt to recapture his pre-scandal prominence as a top fundraiser and potential 2016 presidential candidate is taking him to Chicago on Tuesday for a prestigious economic group summit followed by private meetings with donors and a fundraising dinner for the Republican Governors Association.

It's the third out-of-state trip for Christie since his office became engulfed in scandal a month ago, motivating the Progressive Change Campaign, a political action committee, to organize a protest in Fort Lee near the George Washington Bridge that will coincide with Christie's appearance at the Economic Club of Chicago.

Keith Rouda, spokesman for the group, said a call will be made for Christie to resign from office "if he was directly involved in recently alleged scandals."

Christie says he did not participate or have involvement when bridge access was used for political retribution in September. His administration is also under fire for how it's distributing federal superstorm Sandy relief aid.

Christie became chairman of the RGA this year. His trouble in New Jersey has put Christie in the position of fighting to hold on to the leadership assignment, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

Sabato said Christie wasn't embraced publicly by GOP candidates when he made trips to Florida and Texas in recent weeks.

"As long as Christie raises tons of cash for the RGA, they'll keep him. If the cash starts drying up, he goes," Sabato said. "It's already obvious that candidates are choosing to avoid Christie until and unless this mess is cleared up."

Sabato said Christie can still be a viable presidential candidate, even as Democrats are pulling out all stops to head him off. Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland will also be in Chicago for a press conference to counter Christie on behalf of the Democratic National Committee. The DNC set up similar events in Florida and Texas.

Sabato called that "a relentless Democratic campaign to eliminate a potentially strong GOP presidential candidate. Christie gave Democrats and his opponents in the Republican Party a sword, and they are determined to maximize Christie's blood loss."

Matthew Hale, a Seton Hall University political scientist, predicted with the absence of a smoking gun in the bridge scandal or with Sandy funding distribution Christie can hold his standing as a national political player.

"Christie isn't done until Republicans start joining the protests and picket lines. Right now it is almost all Democrats and I still think he is a viable leader until that changes," Hale said.

"I also think that a lot of mainstream Republican leaders are more worried about Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee or someone else on the far right making a credible run in 2016 more than they are about a damaged Chris Christie. Who are Republicans going to fall back on for a center-right candidate? Jeb Bush? There is a lot more to go both in this story and until 2016. Governor Christie is in trouble but I don't think he is dead yet."